Storm Hector: ‘Danger to life’ warning issued as powerful winds and extreme weather bear down on UK.
The Met Office has upgraded it’s weather warning for Storm Hector on Thursday to amber, putting some parts of Northern Ireland under a ‘danger to life’ warning.
Another yellow warning, meaning there is a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur, covers Scotland and northern England.
Storm Hector will bring winds of up to 70mph battering the UK from 3am tomorrow. The Met Office said a ‘very windy spell’ will develop before reaching its strongest throughout Scotland, Northern Ireland and the far north of England on Thursday morning.
Ireland will be hit first, with the weather front sweeping across into the north of the UK early on Thursday morning. Westerly winds are likely to be between 50mph and 60mph but could reach up to 70mph in exposed locations before easing in the afternoon, the forecasters said.
#StormHector will bring very windy weather to Northern Ireland on Thursday morning with the risk of power cuts, disruption to travel, damage to buildings as well as large waves and flying debris pic.twitter.com/VxLZSG7xtz
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 13, 2018
The amber warning says ‘injuries and danger to life is likely from large waves and beach material being thrown onto coastal roads, sea fronts and properties.’
It adds: ‘Flying debris is likely and could lead to injuries or danger to life. ‘There is a good chance that power cuts may occur, with the potential to affect other services, such as mobile phone coverage.’
Commuters are warned that public transport will likely be subject to cancellations and journeys may take longer in the severe winds. Road, rail, air and ferry services may be affected, the Met Office said.
A amber severe weather warning for #wind has been issued: https://t.co/QwDLMfRBfs Stay #weatheraware @metofficeuk pic.twitter.com/dg99LsAPf5
— Met Office (@metoffice) June 13, 2018
The Queen and Meghan Markle’s first engagement together – opening Cheshire’s Mersey Gateway Bridge and the Storyhouse Theatre – may be hit by strong gusts but is not affected by the warning.
Met Office forecaster Sophie Yeomans said: ‘Over the rest of England and Wales it will just be a strong, blustery day. ‘With any outdoor events planned, it may be something people are unprepared for or come as unexpected compared to the weather we have had recently.’
